May 31, 2025  
2025-2026 GRADUATE CATALOG {Editing in Progress} 
    
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2025-2026 GRADUATE CATALOG {Editing in Progress}

Business Administration - Management Information Systems, (PhD)

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The Ph.D. in Business Administration with concentration in Management Information Systems at the University of Memphis is a 72-credit hour graduate degree with a rigorous curriculum providing core economic theory and applied analytical and empirical methods. We offer small class sizes, individual attention and flexibility in coursework.

Admission Standards and Procedures

Admission Standards

Required:

  • A bachelor’s degree.
  • Undergraduate grade point average that satisfies the Graduate School requirement of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
  • At least one semester of statistics (SCMS 2710, MATH 1530 or equivalent).
  • Test scores (either GRE or GMAT accepted). A GMAT score of at least 600 is desired, but all applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • For international students only: if an English Proficiency Exam is needed, a score of at least 80 on TOEFL, 6.5 on IELTS, or 110 on Duolingo.

Suggested (but not required):

  • Successful completion of at least one semester of calculus (MATH 1830, MATH 1910 or equivalent).
  • Work experiences in relevant industries
  • Experiences in using data analytics and artificial intelligence

Admission Procedures

Include the following materials in your online application via the Tiger Tracks portal:

  • Transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended attesting to the courses taken and/or degrees earned, and verifying their successful completion.
  • Score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  • Applicant’s resume or CV.
  • 3 letters of reference. Only letters from former professors or supervisors of academic research are acceptable.
  • A short Personal Statement, explaining why the applicant wants to pursue graduate studies in economics at our institution. Please include an outline of current research interests.
  • International students must additionally include:
    • If your highest degree earned is from an international university, a credential evaluation by any credentialling agency listed in www.naces.org.
    • If an English Proficiency Exam is needed, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test scores.

When to Apply

To be considered for funding, we suggest applying by March 1st.

Program Requirements

Coursework (72 credit hours)

Research Core Courses (12 credit hours)

MIS Concentration Courses (18 credit hours)

Elective Courses (24 - 36 credit hours)

  • Choose graduate level courses (7000 or 8000 level) in their area of study (courses starting with prefix MIS).
  • Maximum 3 elective course (9 credit hours) at the 6000 level can be taken.
  • Graduate level courses offered by other related departments at the graduate level may be eligible. Any such courses must be approved by the PhD coordinator.
  • No more than 6 hours of Independent Study (MIS 7910/8910) courses can be taken.

Dissertation Hours (6 - 18 credit hours)

  • After completing the Comprehensive Exam, the student may enroll in dissertation hours.
  • A minimum of 6 hours of dissertation (BA 9000) must be taken.
  • No more than 18 hours of dissertation (BA 9000) credit can be taken.

Comprehensive Exam

The Comprehensive Exam consists of 2 Components (specific time may vary for each student based on their progress):

  • Written Exams, completed in September of the third year.
  • Oral Exam, completed at the end of the Fall semester of their third year.

Paper Presentation

Students must make at least one presentation of their research projects in the MIS colloquium in front of all faculty, with the goal of developing them into a component of their dissertation.

Research

Students are exposed to a variety of methodological courses designed to enhance their capability to design, implement and conduct research studies which address relevant MIS problems. Students are expected to complete their Ph.D. programs of study with some record of success in publishing their research on conference proceedings and/or refereed academic journals.

Teaching

Developing teaching skills is a major component of the PhD program. In the course of the program, doctoral students are provided with a balanced teaching and research assistantship. Student evaluations as well as faculty input (by observing doctoral students teach) are used to assess teaching skills. If teaching skills are found inadequate, the PhD candidate will be advised an appropriate course of action.

Dissertation

Students must write and defend a dissertation. 

  • Dissertation Committee:  consists of at least four members, including the student’s main adviser (Chair) and other members of the graduate faculty. One of these four members must come from outside the Department. The student is responsible for identifying the members of the Dissertation Committee with the help of the adviser.
  • Dissertation Proposal: when the idea for the dissertation has been approved by the Dissertation Committee, it must be presented to them.
  • Dissertation Defense: After the Dissertation is approved by the Dissertation Committee, the Dissertation Defense must be scheduled according to the Presentation Guidelines. For style, format and submission guidelines and University deadlines, please visit https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/current_students/tdguide_preparation.php  

Retention Policy

Graduation Requirements

  • Fulfill the above program requirements.
  • Must be enrolled in the term of intended graduation (Fall, Spring or Summer).
  • Must follow the process outlined by the Graduate School by the stipulated deadlines
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on all graduate coursework.
  • No more than 7 hours of “C+,” “C,” or “C-” will be counted towards the degree.

Typical Sequence

Fall of year 1

  • MIS 8710 - Research Seminar in IS I
  • MIS 8605 - Business database systems
  • SCMS 8530: Survey of Statistical Techniques

Spring of year 1

  • MIS 8620 - Business machine learning I
  • MIS 8670 - Information security mgmt
  • SCMS 8540: Multivariate Methods

Fall of year 2

  • MIS 8720 - Research Seminar in IS II
  • MIS 8620 - Business machine learning I
  • MGMT 8921: Management Research

Spring of year 2

  • MIS 8610 - System analysis and design
  • Elective or Concentration course
  • Elective or Concentration course

Fall of year 3

  • Elective or Concentration course
  • Elective or Concentration course
  • Elective or Concentration course

Spring of year 3

  • Elective or Concentration course
  • Elective or Concentration course
  • Elective or Concentration course

Students are expected to complete the Comprehensive Exam requirement by the end of the Spring semester of year 3.

Starting the fourth year of PhD study, the student is expected to enroll in dissertation hours until the dissertation is completed.

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